Alexis Sanchez a doubt for Arsenal’s clash with Aston Villa, but Gabriel Paulista available

Alexis Sanchez is a doubt for Arsenal’s clash with Aston Villa, but new signing Gabriel Paulista is available for selection.

Alexis Sanchez is a doubt for Arsenal’s Premier League match with Aston Villa on Sunday with a hamstring injury, Arsene Wenger has revealed.

The Chilean will continue to be assessed and a decision taken on his participation will be made on Saturday.

It would be ironic (but typically Arsenal) if having allowed three strikers to leave on loan that they should start to get injury problems amongst the remaining forwards.

New signing Gabriel Paulista is available and may be involved as concerns continue over Laurent Koscielny’s Achilles problems. It is more likely that Gabriel will be on the bench rather than start the match.

Wenger also revealed that Danny Welbeck is very close to a return. “He is really, really, really nearly there. He will be available for the Tottenham game”, said Wenger

On Jack Wilshere, Mikel Arteta and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Wenger added; “They are not completely there yet but they are not far. Jack should join in normal training in 10 days. Welbeck on Monday. That’s where we are at the moment. Arteta a bit longer.”